[ RadSafe ] pyrophoric uranium considered nonessential

[James Salsman]

Roy Herren, who works for John Perlin, wrote:

> At what point in time during collision with a target is a 
> uranium projectile converted from a solid mass to a collection
> of "fine particles"? 

Shortly afterward, because the leading surface liquefies.

> How do the "fine particles" exit the solid target to cause the
> death of  the enemy combatant?

By inertia and/or convection.

> Is it possible, that the vast majority of the solid uranium
> projectile exits the target intact ...[?]

Yes, depending on the ordnance, between 80% and 15% of each round burns.

> and it is in fact possible that the mass of the projectile, its 
> fragments,  and the resultant debris from the target are what
> actually  causes the timely demise of the enemy combatant?

No, that would be, "untimely."  A "timely" demise would be about
six decades later, after our diplomatic corps had been allowed to
do their work resulting in the enemy combatant being reclassified
to allied alien status.

Sincerely,
James Salsman